Nickname(s):Les Bleu et Blanc (The Blue and Whites)
Founded:1986
Stadium:Stade de l'Aube
Capacity:20,400
1970-1975
1975-1979
1986-2000
2000-2007
2007-Present
ESTAC Troyes Crest History
Troyes Aube Football (TAF) adopted its first official crest in 1970, following the club's formation after the disappearance of the professional section of AS Troyes-Savinienne. The badge consisted of a simple shield divided into white and light blue sections, with the initials TAF displayed prominently across the top. Its minimalist design reflected the club's fresh start while introducing the blue-and-white colours that would become synonymous with football in Troyes.
In 1975, the club redesigned its crest by placing the TAF shield inside a stylised football. The shield itself featured diagonal blue stripes with the word "Athletic", referencing the club's full name, while the surrounding football emphasised the sporting identity of the badge. This version remained in use until the financial collapse of Troyes Aube Football in 1979, after which the club ceased operations.
Following the creation of Association Troyes Aube Champagne (ATAC) in 1986, a completely new visual identity was introduced. Rather than using a traditional shield, the club adopted a bold blue wordmark displaying the initials ATAC, accompanied by a football beneath the lettering. The modern design reflected the birth of a new club while signalling a break from the imagery of its predecessor.
In 2000, the club changed its name to Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne (ESTAC) after a legal dispute with the French supermarket chain ATAC. A new logo was introduced featuring the word "estac" in blue lowercase lettering, accompanied by a football connected to a sweeping gold arc. The clean and contemporary design reflected the club's new identity as it established itself in Ligue 1 and made its first appearances in European competition.
A major redesign followed in 2007 with the introduction of the current shield-shaped crest. The badge restored a traditional football identity through a blue shield outlined in gold, displaying the initials ESTAC, the city name Troyes, the founding year 1986, and the number 10, representing the Aube department, whose official French department code is 10. The gold border and refined typography gave the crest a more prestigious appearance while celebrating the club's regional identity. This remains the official crest of ESTAC Troyes today.
ESTAC Troyes Club History
Founded in 1986 as Association Troyes Aube Champagne (ATAC), the current club is the latest chapter in a football tradition in Troyes dating back to 1899. It was established following the financial collapse of PL Foot, itself a successor to Troyes Aube Football (TAF) and AS Troyes-Savinienne. The new club was created to restore professional football to the city and gradually rebuilt its way through the French football pyramid before adopting professional status in the mid-1990s. In 2000, after a legal dispute with the French supermarket chain ATAC, the club changed its name to Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne (ESTAC), the name it carries today.
ESTAC's rise accelerated under legendary coach Alain Perrin, who guided the club to promotion to Ligue 1 in 1999. During this successful period, Troyes established itself as an attractive, attacking side and achieved one of the greatest moments in its history by qualifying for European competition. After winning the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup, ESTAC reached the 2001–02 UEFA Cup, where it famously defeated Slovan Liberec before narrowly losing to Leeds United on away goals in one of the club's most memorable European campaigns.
The following years were characterised by frequent promotion and relegation between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, earning Troyes a reputation as one of France's classic "yo-yo clubs." Despite these fluctuations, ESTAC enjoyed notable successes by winning the Ligue 2 championship in 2014–15 under Jean-Marc Furlan and again in 2020–21 under Laurent Batlles. The club also continued to develop talented players, with future internationals such as Blaise Matuidi, Benjamin Nivet, Bryan Mbeumo, Corentin Jean, and Karim Azamoum all representing ESTAC during important stages of their careers.
A significant new chapter began in 2020 when City Football Group, owners of Manchester City and several other clubs worldwide, acquired a majority stake in ESTAC. The investment strengthened the club's infrastructure and youth development, although results on the pitch proved inconsistent. Following relegation from Ligue 1 in 2023, Troyes suffered another difficult campaign but retained its place in Ligue 2 after administrative decisions elsewhere in French football. Today, ESTAC continues its ambition of re-establishing itself among France's top clubs while benefiting from one of the world's largest multi-club football networks.
ESTAC's principal rivalry is with Stade de Reims in the Champagne Derby, reflecting the historic sporting rivalry between the two largest football clubs in the Champagne region. Matches against AJ Auxerre also carry added significance due to the geographical proximity of the two cities and their frequent meetings in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
